Isaiah 58:13

¶ If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words:

If thou turn away {H7725} thy foot {H7272} from the sabbath {H7676}, from doing {H6213} thy pleasure {H2656} on my holy {H6944} day {H3117}; and call {H7121} the sabbath {H7676} a delight {H6027}, the holy {H6918} of the LORD {H3068}, honourable {H3513}; and shalt honour {H3513} him, not doing {H6213} thine own ways {H1870}, nor finding {H4672} thine own pleasure {H2656}, nor speaking {H1696} thine own words {H1697}:

"If you hold back your foot on Shabbat from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you call Shabbat a delight, ADONAI's holy day, worth honoring; then honor it by not doing your usual things or pursuing your interests or speaking about them.

If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words,

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of Jehovah honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Commentary

Isaiah 58:13 (KJV): "If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words:"

Context

Isaiah 58 presents a powerful divine rebuke against Israel's superficial religious practices. The people were engaging in outward rituals like fasting, but their hearts were not truly devoted to God, and they continued to oppress others and pursue selfish desires. God, through Isaiah, declares that He desires true righteousness, social justice, and genuine worship over mere ceremony. Verse 13 specifically focuses on the proper observance of the Sabbath, contrasting a self-centered approach with one that truly honors the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Beyond Mere Abstinence: The verse challenges the idea that Sabbath observance is only about refraining from work. It calls for a deeper, more profound engagement, turning away from "doing thy pleasure" and "thine own ways."
  • Delight in God's Holy Day: The core command is to "call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable." This transforms the Sabbath from a legalistic burden into a joyful opportunity for spiritual refreshment and communion with God. It emphasizes finding pleasure not in personal pursuits, but in the sacredness of the day and in the Lord Himself, echoing the call to delight thyself also in the LORD.
  • Honoring the Lord: To honor the Sabbath is to honor its Creator. This involves consciously setting aside personal agendas, desires, and even idle conversation ("speaking thine own words") to focus on God's purposes and presence. It's about recognizing the day as "the holy of the LORD."
  • Prioritizing God's Will Over Self-Will: The repeated phrases "thy pleasure," "thine own ways," and "thine own words" highlight the conflict between human autonomy and divine authority. True Sabbath observance means submitting one's own will to God's will for that consecrated time.

Linguistic Insights

  • Sabbath (שַׁבָּת - Shabbat): The Hebrew word comes from the root meaning "to cease" or "to rest." While it primarily refers to ceasing from labor, Isaiah broadens its scope to include a cessation from self-focused activity and thought.
  • Delight (עֹנֶג - Oneg): This term signifies pleasure, enjoyment, or luxury. To "call the Sabbath a delight" means to view it as a source of genuine joy and spiritual satisfaction, a time of refreshment rather than restriction.
  • Honourable (כָּבוֹד - Kavod): This word conveys glory, weight, or significance. To call the Sabbath "honourable" is to acknowledge its inherent sacredness and importance as a day set apart by God for His glory.

Practical Application

While the specific cultural and religious context of Sabbath observance may have evolved, the principles within Isaiah 58:13 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse encourages us to:

  • Set Apart Time for God: Dedicate specific time—whether a day, portions of a day, or even regular moments—to intentionally rest, reflect, and engage with God, free from the distractions of personal work, entertainment, or worldly concerns.
  • Cultivate a Heart of Joy: Approach spiritual disciplines, worship, and consecrated time not as burdensome duties, but as opportunities for genuine joy, communion, and spiritual renewal in the Lord. It's about finding our deepest satisfaction in Him.
  • Prioritize God's Will: In all aspects of life, including how we use our time, we are called to honor God above our own desires. This leads to the promised blessings of Isaiah 58:14, where delighting in the Lord leads to being fed with the heritage of Jacob.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 17:21

    Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring [it] in by the gates of Jerusalem;

  • Jeremiah 17:27

    But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

  • Psalms 92:1

    ¶ A Psalm [or] Song for the sabbath day. [It is a] good [thing] to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

  • Psalms 92:2

    To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

  • Nehemiah 13:15

    ¶ In those days saw I in Judah [some] treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all [manner of] burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified [against them] in the day wherein they sold victuals.

  • Nehemiah 13:22

    And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and [that] they should come [and] keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, [concerning] this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

  • Isaiah 56:2

    Blessed [is] the man [that] doeth this, and the son of man [that] layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
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